1973 Corgi Juniors Wigwam Camper Van

The Corgi Juniors Wigwam Camper Van is a fantasy vehicle – no doubt inspired by the impact that Mattel Hot Wheels had on diecast toys – with large windows, a huge skylight and a detailed interior. First released in 1973, the Wigwam was produced in four color variations (metallic magenta, dark blue, medium blue and purple) up to 1975. This blue model is another of my finds, this one from the Paramount East Antique Mall, from my holiday break antique store tour of the city.

The Corgi Juniors Wigwam Camper Van has an unusual cockpit and front door configuration.

It also features a tow hook, but I’m not sure which of the Corgi Juniors models it might have towed.

The large skylight allows for a nice view of the interior details.

Corgi Juniors | 1973-1975 | 18-C | Wigwam Camper Van | 77mm, medium blue, yellow detailed interior, amber windows, black plastic base | Great Britain | chrome 5-doublespoke Whizzwheels

1977 Tomica Lamborghini Countach LP400

The Tomica Lamborghini Countach LP400, based on the first production Countach, was first released in 1977. This red model with 4-spoke wheels is another of my Wichita eBay scores.

Click here to see the Tomica Lamborghini Countach LP-500S in my collection.

The Tomica Lamborghini Countach LP400 features an opening engine cover.

Click here to see the Lamborghini Countach LP400 on the 1977 page of the online Tomica History Museum.

Tomica | 1977 | F37 | Lamborghini Countach LP400 | red, clear windows, tan interior, opening engine cover, black plastic base | 1/61 | Japan | 4-spoke wheels

1977 Tomica Lancia Stratos Rally Type

The Lancia Stratos HF was a 2-door, rear mid-engine sports car created by the Italian automaker specifically for rally racing. With a body designed by Bertone’s Marcello Gandini and powered by a 190 hp Dino Ferrari V6, the Stratos HF made its debut at the 1971 Turin Motor Show and went on to win the World Rally Championships in 1974, 1975 and 1976. Less than 500 of the cars were produced from 1973 until 1978.

The Tomica Lancia Stratos was released in 1977 as both the No. F27 Lancia Stratos HF and the No. F19 Lancia Stratos Rally Type. Comparing photos online, the only difference I can see is that the F19 has rally lights cast into the front. I picked up this nice example from my Wichita eBay friend. While the base is stamped F27 Lancia Stratos HF, this model has the rally lights and livery of the F19 Lancia Stratos Rally Type.

Click here to see the Lancia Stratos HF and Rally Type on the 1977 page of the online Tomica History Museum.

Tomica | 1977 | F19 (F27 stamped on base) | Lancia Stratos Rally Type (Lancia Stratos HF stamped on base) | white, red and green rally graphics and door labels, clear windows, red interior and rear window louvers, black plastic base | 1/57 | Japan | sport wheels

1977 Tomica Chevrolet Corvette Variation

The Tomica Chevrolet Corvette, based on the third generation (C3, 1968-1982) of the classic Chevy sports car, was first released in 1977. This yellow model with 5-spoke wheels is an early example and another of my Wichita eBay scores. It is the second variation of this casting that I’ve added to my collection (click here to see my later version).

Click here to compare to the Hot Wheels Corvette Stingray from my childhood.

The Tomica Chevrolet Corvette features opening doors.

Click here to see the Tomica Chevrolet Corvette on the 1977 page of the online Tomica History Museum.

Tomica | 1977 | F21 | Chevrolet Corvette | yellow with red trim, 8 labels on doors, black plastic base, opening doors | 1/64 | Japan | sport wheels with chrome rings

1976 Tomica Porsche 911S

The Porsche 911S was the 1966 performance upgrade to the first-generation 911. It featured 5-spoke, forged aluminum alloy Fuchsfelge wheels and the 158 hp Type 901/02 engine (a nice boost from the 130hp Type 901/01.)

The Tomica Porsche 911S was first released in 1976 and was reissued in 2004 for the Osaka Tomica Expo. This worn, early black model with red and silver racing graphics is another of my Wichita eBay scores. This one is missing labels that would have been applied to the doors.

Other Tomica Porsches in my collection include the 1977 F31 Porsche Turbo 935, the 1978 F43 Porsche 936 Turbo, the 1978 F53 Porsche 928, and the 1979 F10 Porsche 935-78 Turbo.

Click here to see the Porsche 911S on the 1976 page of the online Tomica History Museum.

Tomica | 1976 | F3 | Porsche 911S | black, red and silver 7 graphics, missing door labels, clear windows, red interior, opening doors, black plastic base | 1/61 | Japan | sport wheels with chrome rings

1975 Tomica Vamos Honda

The Vamos Honda is a leisure vehicle that was produced by the Japanese automaker from 1970 to 1973. The Vamos had no doors, a removable top, and an optional, removable rear seat. Its rear wheels were driven by a gas-powered, 354 cc 2-cylinder, air-cooled engine and the interior featured a water- and dust-proof instrument panel.

The Tomica Vamos Honda was first released in 1972 and was produced until 1977. It was reissued in 2000 for the Tomica Anniversary 24 gift set. It was also included in the Amusement Tomica line, the 2002 Special Model Set No. 6 – Stylish, and the Tomica Limited series in 2006.

This model, another of my Wichita eBay scores, has the early wheels but has 1975 stamped on the base. It is, unfortunately, missing the plastic top.

Click here to see the Vamos Honda on the 1972 page of the online Tomica History Museum.

Tomica | 1975 | 55 | Vamos Honda | pale yellow, clear window, black plastic interior, missing plastic canopy, black plastic base | 1/54 | Japan | black tires with chrome plastic hubs

1974 Tomica Toyota EX-7

The Toyota EX-7 was a concept car developed by the Japanese automaker and unveiled at the 1970 Tokyo Motor Show. Based on the Toyota 7 racing car, the EX-7 2-door coupe had a mid-mounted 5.0 L V8 engine, double wishbone independent suspension and vented disc brakes all around.

The Tomica Toyota EX7 was first released in 1972 and was produced until 1980. It was later reissued for several events, including the gold-plated version for Tomica Expo 2006. Among other releases, it had Buzz Lightyear livery for the Toy Story and Beyond movie in 2005, and the following year represented the film in the Disney Pixar Set. This example, with 5-spoke wheels and 1974 stamped on the base, is another of my Wichita eBay scores.

Click here to see the Toyota EX-7 on the 1972 page of the online Tomica History Museum.

Tomica | 1974 | 31 | Toyota EX7 | yellow and black, clear windows, white interior, unpainted metal base | 1/62 | Japan | 5-spoke wheels

1978 Tomica Shiden 77 BMW Variation

The Mooncraft Shiden 77 was a Group 6 racing car that competed in the Fuji Grand Champion Series in 1977 and 1978. Featuring an aluminum twin-tube monocoque chassis, the Shiden 77 was powered initially by a BMW M12/7 2.0 L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. Noritake Takahara (a three-time series champion) debuted the car in the 1977 Fuji Grand 250km. He ran the car for only 12 laps before leaving the race due to brake issues. The car was returned to Mooncraft where it was rebuilt and the engine was replaced with a Mazda RE13B 1,308 cc rotary engine. Now called the Shiden Kai, the car was raced in the 1978 Grand Champion Series, without much success. In the 1978 500 mile Fuji, the car was crashed, burst into flames and was destroyed.

The Tomica Shiden 77 BMW was released in 1978. This orange model with 9 racing tampo is the keeper from a bunch of garage sale cars my brother sent me. Click here to compare to the green variation of the Tomica Shiden 77 BMW already in my collection.

Click here to see the Shiden 77 BMW on the 1978 page of the online Tomica History Museum.

Tomica | 1978 | 71 | Shiden 77 BMW | orange with 9 racing tampo, tinted windows, black plastic interior and base | 1/62 | Japan | sport wheels

1979 Tomica Porsche 935-78 Turbo

The Porsche 935 is the racing version of the 911 Turbo that was developed in 1976 by the German automaker for FIA-Group 5 rules. The 935, which used the 3.0L twin-turbo flat-six with mechanical fuel injection, was a dominant performer until FIA rules changed in 1982. The 935-78, nicknamed Moby Dick for it’s long tail, had a 3.2L engine with water-cooled cylinder heads. It won the 6 hours of Silverstone and achieved a speed of 228mph on the straight at Le Mans.

The Tomica No. F10 Porsche 935-78 Turbo was first released in 1979 and was re-issued in 1988 as No. 90. This fun white model with red Valvoline 18 racing livery is another of my Wichita eBay scores.

Click here to compare to the Tomica No. F31 Porsche 935 Turbo from 1977.

Click here to see the Porsche 935-78 Turbo on the 1979 page of the online Tomica History Museum.

Tomica | 1979 | F10 | Porsche 935-78 Turbo | white with red racing tampo, clear windows, black interior, black plastic base | 1/63 | Japan | sport wheels

1978 Tomica De Tomaso Pantera GTS

The De Tomaso Pantera was produced by the Italian automaker from 1971 to 1992. The mid-engine sports car, powered by a Ford V8, was marketed in the U.S. by Lincoln-Mercury dealers from 1972 to 1975. The Pantera was equipped with electric windows and air conditioning and had a gear range that was relatively friendly to urban driving. The GTS, with its matte black body panels and performance enhancments that included a tuned 345hp V8, wider wheels and disc brakes, was introduced in 1972.

The Tomica F55 DeTomaso Pantera GTS and the F64 DeTomaso Pantera Racing were both released in 1978. It’s a little hard to say what would make something more “Racing” than a Pantera GTS, but the Pantera Racing features red paint with black and white livery and sport wheels, while the GTS has silver paint, a somewhat more subdued livery and 5-spoke wheels. The Pantera GTS was later included in the 2000 Tomica Anniversary 24 II set and also in the 2003 Super Car Hall series, among other releases. This nice silver model is another of my Wichita eBay scores.

The Tomica Pantera GTS features a matte black plastic wing and an opening rear engine cover.

Click here to see the De Tomaso Pantera GTS on the 1978 page of the online Tomica History Museum

Tomica | 1978 | F55 | DeTomaso Pantera GTS | silver with black tampo, black and white door labels, red interior, opening engine cover, black plastic wing and base | 1/61 | Japan | 5-spoke wheels